Prescribed Fire Plan template - National Interagency Fire ......the prescribed fire plan and will acknowledge any remaining unmitigated risk in the final rating. ... represented, and

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PRESCRIBED FIRE PLAN

Refuge-wide Broadcast Burn Programmatic Plan Name

Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge

Administrative Unit(s)

Multiple units

Prescribed Fire Name (should match FMIS naming)

Prepared By:

John Ashcraft, RXB2

Date

Reviewed By:

Kevin Beck, RXB2

Date

Concurrence:

Tracy Swenson; Rocky Basin ZFMO

Date

Complexity Rating Moderate

Minimum Burn Boss Qualification RXB2

Project Leader / Refuge Manager

As the line officer who will be ultimately responsible for the outcome of the implementation of this prescribed fire

project, I certify that I have reviewed this Prescribed Fire Plan and certify that all related planning documents are

complete, and that the prescribed fire conditions will, to the best of my knowledge meet the planned objectives

when carried out according to this plan. This plan is valid for up to five years following my signature below.

Approved:

Project Leader / Refuge Manager Date

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Re-Certification for Multiple Years

During the period it is valid a Plan may be executed more than once, but it must be re-approved by the Project

Leader/Refuge Manager prior to each ignition.

I certify that I have re-reviewed this Prescribed Fire Plan, that conditions described in this plan are

substantially still the same, and that the plan is still valid.

Project Leader / Refuge Manger

Date


Date


Date


Date

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Contents Element 2A: Agency Administrator Ignition Authorization .......................................................................................... 6

Element 2B: Prescribed Fire Go/No-Go Checklist ........................................................................................................ 7

Element 3: Complexity Analysis Summary ................................................................................................................... 8

Element 4: Description of Prescribed Fire Area ........................................................................................................... 10

A. Physical Description .......................................................................................................................................... 10

B. Vegetation/Fuels Description: ............................................................................................................................. 10

C. Description of Unique Features, Natural Resources, Values: ............................................................................ 11

D. Maps - Attach in Appendix A ............................................................................................................................. 11

Element 5: Objectives .................................................................................................................................................. 12

A. Resource objectives: .......................................................................................................................................... 12

B. Prescribed fire objectives: .................................................................................................................................. 13

Element 6: Funding...................................................................................................................................................... 13

A. Cost: ............................................................................................................................................................... 13

B. Funding source: .............................................................................................................................................. 13

Element 7: Prescription ................................................................................................................................................ 13

A. Prescription Narrative: ....................................................................................................................................... 13

B. Prescription Parameters: .................................................................................................................................... 13

Element 8: Scheduling ................................................................................................................................................. 14

A. Implementation Schedule: ................................................................................................................................. 14

B. Projected Duration: ............................................................................................................................................ 14

C. Constraints: ........................................................................................................................................................ 14

Element 9: Pre-burn Considerations and Weather ....................................................................................................... 14

A. Considerations: .................................................................................................................................................. 14

B. Method and Frequency for Obtaining Weather and Smoke Management Forecast(s): ..................................... 15

C. Notifications: ...................................................................................................................................................... 15

Element 10: Briefing .................................................................................................................................................... 15

A. Briefing Checklist; including, but not limited to: (additional items may be added) .......................................... 15

Element 11: Organization and Equipment ....................................................................................................................... 16

A. Positions: ........................................................................................................................................................... 16

B. Equipment: ......................................................................................................................................................... 20

C. Supplies: ............................................................................................................................................................. 20

Element 12: Communication ....................................................................................................................................... 20

A. Radio Frequencies: ............................................................................................................................................ 20

B. Telephone Numbers: .......................................................................................................................................... 20

Element 13: Public and Personnel Safety, Medical ...................................................................................................... 20

A. Safety Hazards: .................................................................................................................................................. 20

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B. Mitigation: Measures Taken to Reduce the Hazards: ........................................................................................ 21

C. Emergency Medical Procedures: ........................................................................................................................ 21

D. Emergency Evacuation Methods: ...................................................................................................................... 21

E. Emergency Facilities: ......................................................................................................................................... 21

Element 14: Test Fire ................................................................................................................................................... 21

A. Planned Location: .............................................................................................................................................. 21

B. Test Fire Documentation: ................................................................................................................................... 21

Element 15: Ignition Plan ............................................................................................................................................ 21

A. Firing Methods: ................................................................................................................................................. 22

B. Devices: ............................................................................................................................................................. 22

C. Minimum Ignition Staffing: ............................................................................................................................... 22

Element 16: Holding Plan ............................................................................................................................................ 22

A. General Procedures for Holding: ....................................................................................................................... 22

B. Critical Holding Points and Actions: ................................................................................................................. 23

C. Minimum Organization or Capabilities Needed: ............................................................................................... 23

Element 17: Contingency Plan ..................................................................................................................................... 23

A. Management Action Points or Limits: ............................................................................................................ 23

B. Actions Needed: .................................................................................................................................................. 24

C. Minimum Contingency Resources and Maximum Response Time(s): .............................................................. 24

Element 18: Wildfire Declaration ................................................................................................................................ 24

A. Wildfire Declared By: ......................................................................................................................................... 24

B. IC Assignment: .................................................................................................................................................. 24

C. Notifications: ...................................................................................................................................................... 24

D. Extended Attack Actions and Opportunities to Aid in Fire Suppression (Optional): ........................................ 24

Element 19: Smoke Management and Air Quality ...................................................................................................... 25

A. Compliance: ....................................................................................................................................................... 25

B. Permits to be Obtained: ...................................................................................................................................... 25

C. Smoke-Sensitive Receptors: .............................................................................................................................. 25

D. Potential Impacted Areas: .................................................................................................................................. 25

E. Mitigation Strategies and Techniques to Reduce Smoke Impacts:..................................................................... 25

Element 20: Monitoring ............................................................................................................................................... 26

A. Fuels Information Required and Procedures: ..................................................................................................... 26

B. Weather Monitoring (Forecasted and Observed) Required and Procedures: ..................................................... 26

C. Fire Behavior Monitoring Required and Procedures: ........................................................................................ 26

D. Monitoring Required to Ensure that Prescribed Fire Plan Objectives are Met: ................................................. 26

E. Smoke Dispersal Monitoring Required and Procedures:.................................................................................... 26

Element 21: Post-burn Activities ................................................................................................................................. 26

A. Post-Burn Activities that must be Completed: ................................................................................................... 26

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Prescribed Fire Plan Appendices ................................................................................................................................. 28

Appendix A: Vicinity Map ...................................................................................................................................... 29

Appendix A: Project (Ignition Units) / Contingency Maps ..................................................................................... 30

Appendix A: Vegetation Maps ................................................................................................................................ 31

Appendix A: Fuels or Fuel Model: (Optional) Maps ............................................................................................... 33

Appendix A: Smoke Impact Areas: (Optional) Maps .............................................................................................. 35

Appendix B: Technical Reviewer Checklist ............................................................................................................ 36

Appendix C: Complexity Analysis ......................................................................................................................... 37

Appendix D: Agency-Specific Job Hazard Analysis or Risk Assessment .............................................................. 46

Appendix E: Fire Behavior Modeling Documentation ............................................................................................ 48

Appendix F: Cost Calculation ................................................................................................................................. 61

Appendix G: Medical Plan (ICS-206) ..................................................................................................................... 62

Appendix H: Contact / Notification List .................................................................................................................. 63

Appendix I: Ignition Unit Specific Documentation ................................................................................................. 65

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Element 2A: Agency Administrator Ignition Authorization

Agency Administrator Ignition Authorization,

PMS 485

The Agency Administrator Ignition Authorization form is a separate PDF file that must be printed and

signed. <http://www.nwcg.gov/pms/RxFire/rx.htm>

The Agency Administrator Ignition Authorization must be completed before a prescribed fire can be

implemented. If ignition of the prescribed fire is not initiated prior to expiration date determined by the

agency administrator, a new authorization will be required. A copy of the signed Agency Administrator

Ignition Authorization will be placed in the project file for each ignition unit that is completed under the

Authorization.

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Element 2B: Prescribed Fire Go/No-Go Checklist

Prescribed Fire Go/No-Go Checklist,

PMS 486

The Prescribed Fire Go/No-Go Checklist form is a separate PDF file that needs to be printed and signed

by the Burn Boss. <http://www.nwcg.gov/pms/RxFire/rx.htm>

The Prescribed Fire Go/No-Go Checklist must be completed before a prescribed fire can be implemented.

The Prescribed Fire Go/No-Go Checklist will be placed in the project file for each ignition unit that is

completed under this Plan.

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Element 3: Complexity Analysis Summary

Sound risk management is a foundation for all fire management activities. Risks and uncertainties relating to fire

management activities must be understood, analyzed, communicated, and managed as they relate to the cost of either

doing or not doing an activity (USDA, USDI, et al, 2009).

Prescribed fire should be assessed in terms of values that could be impacted, how severe the threat may be, and the

likelihood of undesirable effects. Actions should be developed to minimize or eliminate threats and manage risk. Risk

management is the process whereby management decisions are made and actions taken concerning control of hazards

and acceptance of remaining risk.

Prescribed fires present an inherent level of risk. Risk is at all levels, from decision-makers to on-the-ground fire-

fighters and the public. The overall prescribed fire planning process includes a risk assessment, and reflects an

understanding of the interaction of objectives and implementation limitations for the project.

Risk management consists of mitigation strategies and implementation activities to improve outcomes and minimize

negative consequences. For prescribed fire, the risk assessment is accomplished by completing the complexity analysis

process that identifies, analyzes and characterizes the potential hazards, threats, causes and consequences. The

complexity analysis process identifies critical items, mitigation measures, and implementation actions to be addressed in

the prescribed fire plan and will acknowledge any remaining unmitigated risk in the final rating.

During the implementation phase of prescribed fires, personnel may encounter uncertain and dynamic conditions, where

they must continuously evaluate risks with an eye towards maintaining a safe working environment, meeting the

prescribed fire objectives (on time, within budget and with available resources) and addressing social and political

concerns.

The risk management process identified in the Incident Response Pocket Guide, PMS 461 (National Wildfire

Coordinating Group, 2010), helps identify, evaluate and mitigate time-sensitive risks and hazards associated with

prescribed fire.

ELEMENT RISK POTENTIAL

CONSEQUENCE

TECHNICAL

DIFFICULTY

1. Potential for escape MODERATE MODERATE MODERATE

2. The number and dependence of

activities MODERATE MODERATE MODERATE

3. Off-site values MODERATE MODERATE LOW

4. On-site values LOW LOW LOW

5. Fire behavior MODERATE MODERATE LOW

6. Management organization MODERATE LOW MODERATE

7. Public and political interest MODERATE MODERATE LOW

8. Fire treatment objectives LOW MODERATE LOW

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ELEMENT RISK POTENTIAL

CONSEQUENCE

TECHNICAL

DIFFICULTY

9. Constraints MODERATE MODERATE LOW

10. Safety LOW LOW LOW

11. Ignition procedures/methods MODERATE MODERATE MODERATE

12. Interagency coordination LOW MODERATE MODERATE

13. Project logistics LOW LOW LOW

14. Smoke management MODERATE MODERATE MODERATE

COMPLEXITY RATING SUMMARY OVERALL RATING

RISK MODERATE

CONSEQUENCES MODERATE

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY MODERATE

SUMMARY COMPLEXITY DETERMINATION MODERATE

Rationale:

This plan was rated a moderate complexity broadcast burn due to a number of elements. Off-site Values

and Public & Political Interest both had preliminary ratings of one factor rate at a high complexity. This

was due to the refuge being located on the Walden, CO town limits, and the broad nature of the valley

that the town and refuge are located in. These were mitigated due to public being familiar with fire

management activities in the valley, the nature of the fuels around the homes in town, and the short time

frame that smoke should be visible from town.

The other elements which rated the plan a moderate complexity were due to fire behavior, organizational

size, constraints, and smoke management. The fuels at this refuge are best described as light and flashy

with high rates of spread. This necessitates a great deal of coordination during ignition operations due to

the impact that a sudden wind shift can have across the entire project area. These fuels also increase the

likelihood that any slop-over can become established quickly and burn onto private lands. This

necessitated an increase in holding resources to two Type 6 engines and two UTVs. The UTVs do not

add much to line building capacity, but the resources are highly mobile so they can actively patrol long

sections of fire line thus increasing the likelihood that they will catch a slop-over before it becomes more

established.

The constraints and smoke management issues are minimal, but still rated moderate. The constraint that

the refuge is most concerned about is the loss of willow habitat due to fire damage. The refuge staff is

studying the current information on fire effects to willows, so these constraints may become minimized

on some of the ignition units when the staff completes the review of the information. The smoke

management issues are rated moderate due to the state of Colorado’s smoke management program

requirements. These requirements do not cause an undue burden on the implementation of this project,

but can cause other issues if information is not reported back to the state in a timely manner.

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Element 4: Description of Prescribed Fire Area

A. Physical Description

1. Location: Arapaho NWR is located in Jackson County, Colorado just south of the town of Walden. This burn

plan will include all ignition units occurring within the boundary of the refuge. Legal description to the Sixth

Principal Meridian Township and Range are as follows: T11N R79W; T9N R79W; T8N R80W; T8N R79W;

T7N R81W; T7N R80W; T7N R79W. The Center of the refuge is located at 40° 38’ 57.6”N (40° 38.960’N) by

106° 17’ 7.85”W (106° 17.131’W) (NAD83).

2. Size: 25,521 acres

3. Topography: The majority of the refuge can be described as rolling hills intersected by numerous braided

rivers, streams, and ditches. The transition from the river bottoms to the uplands can contain rapid changes in

elevation, which can be described as a bluff. These bluffs tend to channel the local winds through the river

bottoms and can lead to sudden changes in wind direction due to the eddying of the wind. All aspects are

represented, and elevations range from 7,896 to 9,052 feet. Slopes range from flat to 70% with an average

slope of 3% being found on the refuge.

4. Project area: The Project area for this plan is the lands within the refuge boundary which the refuge staff has

identified as treatment (ignition) units.

5. Ignition units:

Ignition Unit Acreage

Hampton 149

Home - Northwest 61

Home - Southeast 61

B. Vegetation/Fuels Description:

1. On-site fuels data:

The following table displays the percentage of land cover at Arapaho NWR based on the 2001 National Land

Cover Database. The GIS dataset that was used for this analysis is based on a 30x30 meter square so all

percentages are approximations based on total cell count within the extracted dataset.

Land Cover Percentage

Shrub/Scrub 49.26

Herbaceous 30.69

Hay/Pasture 10.25

Woody Wetlands 2.93

Emergent Herbaceous Wetlands 2.81

Open Water 1.60

Deciduous Forest 1.13

Developed Open Space 1.04

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Evergreen Forest 0.25

Barren Land 0.03

Mixed Forest 0.02

The Open Water, Developed Open Space, and Barren land cover types are best described as fuel model NB8,

NB1, and NB9 respectively

The Shrub/Scrub land cover type areas consist of a mix of Mountain Big Sagebrush, Wyoming Big Sagebrush,

Alkali Sagebrush, Black Greasewood, various rabbitbrushes, and other shrubs. Interspersed through the various

shrub communities are various drought–tolerant perennial bunchgrasses and forbs. The fuel model that best

described this cover type is GS2, with some sheltered areas in drainages being better described as SH2

The Herbaceous and Hay/Pasture land cover types were combined for this discussion. Both land cover types

are primarily found in riparian and wetland management units of the refuge. They consist of a mix of sedges,

grasses, rushes, and various forbs. This land cover type is best described by fuel model GR2.

The Woody Wetlands land cover type is associated with the willow/riparian habitat on the refuge. The willows

are not dense enough to become the primary carrier of fire, so fuel model GR2 best describes this land cover

type. In the areas where the stands are dense enough, the shrub component of this land cover type contributes

more to spotting then surface spread of fire due to amount of grass fuels present in these riparian units.

The Emergent Herbaceous Wetlands land cover type is associated with natural and man-made impoundments

up to the high water mark. The vegetation associated with this land cover type consists of common cattail,

spike rush, and bulrush. This land cover type is best described by fuel model GR8.

2. Adjacent fuels data:

The fuels surrounding the refuge are similar to those on the refuge. The main unit of the refuge is primarily

surrounded by the Shrub/Scrub and Herbaceous land cover types (GS2 and GR2).

The Evergreen, Deciduous, and Mixed Forest land cover types which consist of varying percentages of

lodgepole pine and aspen. The forest fuels are best described by fuel model FM8 from Anderson’s original 13

fuel models.

3. Percent of vegetative type and fuels model(s):

Please see Appendix I for percentage of fuel model per each ignition unit.

C. Description of Unique Features, Natural Resources, Values:

Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge is located immediately south of the town of Walden, CO. There are numerous

private residences located near the north boundary of the refuge. The headquarters area of the refuge is located near

the center of the refuge and consists of various buildings including staff residences. There are a number of other

buildings located on the refuge in various locations, and will be identified in Appendix I as critical holding points.

Cultural resource studies have been completed on approximately 50 percent of the refuge. Significant cultural

resources have been located, including prehistoric stone circles and open campsites, and historic ranches, graves, and

other features associated with Euro-American settlement of North Park. Future efforts will continue to identify

existing cultural resources and protect them from degradation. A detailed cultural resource overview of North Park

(Larson and Letts 2003) is available from the Service’s regional archaeologist. (CCP 2004)

The following species have been listed under the Endangered Species Act or are a Species of Special Concern for the

Colorado Division of Wildlife, and are found on the refuge: Bald Eagle, North Park phacelia, River Otter, American

Peregrine Falcon, Western Burrowing Owl, Ferruginous Hawk, Northern Sage Grouse, Long Billed Curlew, White

Pelican, Northern Leopard Frog, and Western Boreal Toad. The Intra-Service Section 7 Biological Evaluation, which

was completed May 17, 2004, determined that implementation of the Comprehensive Conservation Plan stated goals

would have no impact on the species listed previously. The implementation of this prescribed fire burn plan will assist

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the refuge in meeting its stated goals in the CCP.

There are a few other features that are found randomly across the refuge. One is a “Soaphole”. This feature is

identified by a bare earth surface in the meadows and riparian areas. These areas have very soft soil and will entrap

vehicles and foot travelers alike. Another is organic soils which will sustain fire under the surface of the ground. Both

of these features will be identified and communicated to the burn crew via the pre-burn briefing. Other features to

note would be the fences and irrigation ditches. These will also be identified and communicated to burn crew

personnel during the pre-burn briefing.

D. Maps - Attach in Appendix A

1. Vicinity

2. Project/Ignition Unit(s)

3. Ignition Sequence Map (Required – Ground Ignition Pattern can be shown on Ignition Unit Map)

4. Contingency Planning Map

5. Smoke Trajectory Map

6. Fuels or Fuel Model(s)

Element 5: Objectives

The resource objectives listed below are from the Management Direction chapter of the Arapaho NWR Comprehensive

Conservation Plan (2004). Refuge staff will be responsible for the long term monitoring of the prescribed fire program

to ensure that the program is meeting the requirements of these objectives.

A. Resource objectives:

1) Riparian Habitats

a) Restore 50–100 acres of dense (40–100 percent) willow in patches greater than 0.5 acre and 20 meters wide

in the central third of the Illinois River (from the north end of the island to the confluence with Spring

Creek), to connect existing willow patches by 2014. Maintain 535 acres of dense willow in patches in the

upper third of the Illinois River to benefit nesting Neotropical migratory songbirds and resident moose,

river otter, and beaver.

b) Provide 3,630–3,845 acres, over a 5-year average, of a grass:forb (75:25) plant community composed

primarily of native plants (rushes, sedges, grasses, and forbs) characterized by 10–30 centimeters visual

obstruction reading, 0–10 centimeters duff layer, minimal (less than 5-percent) bare ground, and less than

40-percent (canopy closure) willow by 2019, to benefit nesting waterfowl and sage grouse broods.

c) Provide 210–425 acres, over a 5-year average, of a grass:forb (75:25) plant community composed primarily

of native species (grasses, sedges, forbs, and rushes) characterized by greater than 30 centimeters visual

obstruction reading, 10–20 centimeters duff layer, minimal (less than 5-percent) bare ground, and less than

40-percent (canopy closure) willow, from mid-April through August, by 2009, to benefit nesting waterfowl

and songbirds.

2) Wetland Habitats

a) Maintain 10 acres of, and attempt to establish in one other wetland basin, tall (greater than 60 centimeters

visual obstruction reading) emergent vegetation in water depths greater than 4 centimeters over a 5-year

period, to provide nesting habitat for over-water nesting birds.

b) Provide 10 percent of the wetland acres, over a 5year average, in short (less than 10 centimeters), sparse

(less than 10 centimeters visual obstruction reading) emergent vegetation in water depths less than 4

centimeters, from April to August, to provide foraging habitat for shorebirds and waterfowl, as well as

nesting and brood-rearing habitat for shorebirds.

c) Provide 20 percent of the wetland acres, over a 5-year average, of emergent vegetation greater than 25

centimeters tall with visual obstruction reading greater than 80 percent of vegetation height in water depths

4–18 centimeters, to provide escape cover and foraging habitat for dabbling duck broods and molting

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ducks, and foraging habitat for water birds.

3) Meadow Habitats

a) Provide 20–50 acres, over a 5-year average, of a grass:forb (75:25) plant community composed primarily of

native plants (rushes, sedges, grasses, and forbs) characterized by less than 20 centimeters height, less than

10 centimeters visual obstruction reading, with dry to moist soils (no standing water), adjacent to (within

50 meters) or intermingled with sagebrush (10- to 25-percent sage canopy cover), from early-June to late-

July, to benefit sage grouse broods.

b) Provide 1,650–1,850 acres, over a 5-year average, of a grass:forb (75:25) plant community composed

primarily of native species (grasses, sedges, forbs, and rushes) characterized by 10–30 centimeters visual

obstruction reading, 0–10 centimeters duff layer, and minimal (less than 5-percent) bare ground from mid-

April to the end of July, to benefit nesting waterfowl and sage grouse broods.

4) Upland Habitats

a) Provide 630–790 acres, over a 5-year average, of a grass:forb (75:25) plant community composed primarily

of native plants (grasses, sedges, forbs, and rushes) characterized by greater than 30 centimeters visual

obstruction reading, 10–20 centimeters duff layer, and minimal (less than 5-percent) bare ground, to benefit

nesting waterfowl and songbirds.

B. Prescribed fire objectives:

1) Refuge Wide

a) Remove a minimum of 80% of the thatch layer over a minimum of 75% of the ignition unit immediately

following post-burn.

b) Provide training opportunities to refuge and partner staff to increase prescribed fire qualifications.

2) Ignition Unit Specific

Please see Unit Specific Attachment in Appendix I for Ignition Unit Specific objectives.

Element 6: Funding

A. Cost:

See attached cost calculation sheet Appendix F for estimated individual project cost calculations.

B. Funding source:

Accounting codes for Fuels Projects or from other sources provided by Zone FMO or Regional Office.

Element 7: Prescription

A. Prescription Narrative:

The fire behavior that is desired using this prescription is a backing or flanking fire which is capable of greater

consumption of the available standing vegetative material and thatch layer at a lower rate of spread. This is

desired so that the thatch does not impede any future management actions such as disking or spraying, and to

allow the new vegetative growth to happen without being impeded by thatch. At the upper limits of the

prescription, the Burn Boss will need to consider constraining the upper wind speed parameter to a speed which

minimizes the potential of spotting and the fire burning though any of the wet lines if the adjacent fuels are

available for ignition. The fuels located outside the refuge boundaries consist of areas of GR2, GS2, and FM8;

and should exhibit fire behavior similar to that of the fuels on the Refuge (Refer to Appendix E)

B. Prescription Parameters:

1. Environmental and fire behavior:

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Temperature: 30-89 degrees F

Relative humidity: 10-59 %

Eye Level Winds: 0-15 mph

Wind Direction: SW – N – SE, (SSW – S – SSE is excluded)

Calculated 1Hr. Fuel Moisture: 2-12%

Flame Length - Observed along Perimeter: 0- 5 ft

Please consult the Smoke Management Permit for additional considerations.

2. Fire Modeling or empirical documentation (or both): Please see Appendix E for fire modeling outputs.

Element 8: Scheduling

A. Implementation Schedule:

Broadcast burning maybe done anytime compliance with all regulatory agencies, policies, and prescriptive

parameters are met. Implementation scheduling of prescribed fire will be consulted with refuge staff.

Reference Colorado Smoke Permit for project specific permit conditions.

B. Projected Duration:

Ignition units will generally be completed within one operational period, but may require mop-up and

monitoring for several days after ignition.

C. Constraints:

Must have current smoke permit from State of Colorado Department of Health and Environment.

May not burn when a burn ban is declared that includes the area of Arapaho NWR.

Consult with Refuge Management in regards to times of hunting seasons, special wildlife/ habitat

considerations.

Reference the USFWS Fire Management Handbook for current guidance on prescribed fire operations

during National or GACC Preparedness Level 4 or 5.

Element 9: Pre-burn Considerations and Weather

A. Considerations:

1. On-site

Control lines will be prepared as follows:

o Mowed Lines: 20ft wide minimum

o Roads and Two-tracks: Minimum 3ft outside unit and 10ft inside unit

Control lines must be evaluated by Burn Boss within 3 days prior to ignition for perceived viability.

All structures or infrastructure within the unit will have sufficient vegetation removed from around them to

facilitate adequate control lines.

Deciduous timber and shrub stands will be prepared based on guidance from refuge staff and fire

management staff to limit mortality in willows, or other desired fire sensitive species.

Water source and refill sites will be identified prior to ignition. These sites will be located within 1 mile of

the ignition unit. Access and operational feasibility will be communicated to all prescribed fire personnel.

Additional water source and refill sites outside of 1 mile may be identified and if so made known to

prescribed fire personnel.

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2. Off-site

Refuge Staff will be responsible for making all necessary contacts and notify Burn Boss as to the current

status of those contacts.

Applicable prescribed fire signs will be placed along refuge roadways and public roadways off refuge to

alert public of possible areas that may be impacted by smoke.

Cultural/ Historic site preparation must be evaluated for prevention of adverse effects.

Prolonged drought will cause the drying of the organic soil layers which do not normally burn. Fuel

modeling does not account for these factors. Resulting fire behavior could be highly increased fire line

intensity and resistance to control. Wet areas that normally act as barriers may no longer be safe to use as

containment buffers. Wetland areas may become more susceptible to increased fire activity. If the PDSI

(Palmer Drought Severity Index) is -3, consider the need for additional resources to safely complete

prescribed burns. If drought conditions are severe enough, prescribed burns may need to be postponed

based on PDSI greater than -4. State or area wide burn bans may be imposed if drought conditions warrant.

The Palmer Drought Severity Index will be checked via the following Internet address

http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/wwdt/index.php?region=co. This site will allow Fire Management Staff to gauge

possible drought conditions.

B. Method and Frequency for Obtaining Weather and Smoke Management Forecast(s):

Ignition will not occur until the Burn Boss has received a current spot weather forecast and prescription

parameters are met.

A spot weather forecast will be requested from the National Weather Service, the office is in Boulder, CO.

The Burn Boss or designee (this may be Craig Dispatch Center) will contact this office at: voice 303-494-

3877. Contact on the day before or day of ignitions. Forecast may be posted on the Internet at the following

address: http://spot.nws.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/spot/spotmon?site=bou

Weather observations will be taken periodically throughout ignitions as determined by the Burn Boss.

Observations will be recorded and added to the project file.

C. Notifications:

See Notification list in Appendix H.

Element 10: Briefing

All personnel assigned to incident will be briefed at the beginning of each operational shift. Briefing topics include, but

are not limited to, identifying the Incident Organization, Objectives, Current and Expected Weather, Firing/Holding

Plans, Medical Plan, any Constraints, Job/Hazard Analysis, etc. Briefings will be facilitated by the creation of an

Incident Action Plan (IAP) which will contain appropriate ICS forms and maps of the ignition unit.

A. Briefing Checklist; including, but not limited to: (additional items may be added)

Burn organization and assignments

Organizational Chart/ Personnel Assignments

Equipment Assignments

Other Resources

Prescribed Fire objectives and prescription

Description of prescribed fire project area

Review Map of Project

Values at Risk

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Critical Areas

Fuel Types (Both inside and outside the Ignition Unit)

Roads / Access

Water Sources

Natural / Constructed Barriers

Expected weather and fire behavior

Temperature

Relative Humidity

Wind (Speed & Direction)

Fuel Moistures

Atmospheric Stability

Predicted / Anticipated Changes

Flame Length

Rate of Spread

General Expected Fire Behavior

Communications

Procedures

Frequencies / Channels

Ignition plan

Test Burn Location

Ignition Resources

Ignition Sequence / Pattern

Holding plan

Resource Assignments

Water Sources

Critical Areas

Contingency plan and assignments

Available Resources / ETA’s

Assignments / Organizational Plan

Strategy

Wildfire declaration

Organizational Assignments

Strategy

Safety and medical plan

LCES

PPE

Known Hazards

Pertinent JHA’s

Element 11: Organization and Equipment

A. Positions:

The attached organization chart is a basic organization. The Burn Boss has the option to change the

organization if they have properly qualified personnel or additional equipment available while implementing the

project. As the prescribed fire organization will change dependent upon daily resource use/ availability, the

daily burn organization will be given and shown on the individual unit/ daily IAP. This IAP should follow the

standard forms used (i.e. ICS Forms 203, 204, 205, 206) in order to maintain continuity and clear understanding

of organization and assignments.

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For black-lining operations a reduction of workforce option maybe selected. This option is not intended to

facilitate burning of entire unit without adequate operational forces. Black lining is a preparation measure to

increase opportunity for broadcast burning of unit. The intent is to allow greater flexibility for prescribed fire.

Also, this is to be considered a minimum and greater resource numbers for black-lining are acceptable at Burn

Boss’s discretion.

The person who will assume the role of initial attack incident commander (ICT4) in the event of a fire escape

must be identified at the pre-ignition briefing, but this role is not part of the minimum organization required for

the burn.

BROADCAST BURN

At a minimum, 11 people must be assigned to these roles (minimum qualification as specified):

Burn Boss, qualified at minimum as RXB2

Firing Boss, qualified as FIRB

Holding Specialist, qualified at minimum as SRB (engine or crew) and ICT5

2 Ignition crewmembers

Holding resources: adequately qualified personnel to adequately staff equipment.

BLACKLINE OPERATION

At a minimum, 7 people must be assigned to these roles (minimum qualification as specified):

Burn Boss, qualified at minimum as RXB2

2 Ignition Crewmembers

Holding resources: adequately qualified personnel to adequately staff equipment.

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Figure 1: Broadcast Burn Organization Chart

Agency Administrator

Burn Boss

Firing Boss

Crewmember

Crewmember

Holding Specialist

Engine

Engine

UTV

UTV

FEMO Smoke / Road Observer

FMO

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Figure 2: Blackline Operation Organization Chart

Agency Administrator

Burn Boss

Engine

Engine

Crewmember

Crewmember

FMO

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B. Equipment:

BROADCAST BURN

At a minimum, there must be at least four pieces of equipment on-site, with a minimum of four qualified

operators (one for each piece of equipment). Holding resources must meet minimum staffing requirements set

forth by their agency’s policy. Additional equipment may be ordered as determined by Burn Boss based on

expected weather, anticipated fire behavior, socio-political factors, or current planning levels/ situation. A

Specialty Tracked Vehicle (Marsh Master) is available at Bear River MBR, and should be considered whenever

soil conditions within the control lines preclude the use of wheeled engines. If the Marsh Master is required for

implementation please contact the Rocky Basin Zone FMO to arrange for its use (See Appendix H for contact

information).

Two Type 6 or larger Engines (a water tender1,000 gal., and pump & roll capability minimum) may be

substituted for 1 engine if appropriate given burn day and unit specific conditions)

Two UTV w/ water tank (50 gal. min.)

BLACKLINE OPERATION

At a minimum, there must be on-site at least two pieces of equipment, with a minimum of two qualified

operators (one for each piece of equipment). Holding resources must meet minimum staffing requirements set

forth by their agency’s policy.

Two Type 6 Engines (or larger engine), with minimum staffing of 1 ENOP and 1 FFT2 for each engine. (A

water tender (1,000 gal., and pump & roll capability minimum) or UTV{w/ water 50 gal. minimum} may

be substituted for 1 engine if appropriate given burn day and unit specific conditions.)

C. Supplies:

Ignition devices and necessary supplies

Pumps and hose as needed for the specific unit

Warning signs as needed

Portable tanks as needed

Element 12: Communication

A. Radio Frequencies:

Coordinate with Craig Interagency Dispatch Center to receive approval for the use of command, tactical, and air

to ground frequencies. Radio frequencies and communication specifics will be addressed in the IAP for the

specific project implementation.

B. Telephone Numbers:

See attached Appendix H for a list of contacts and their telephone numbers.

Element 13: Public and Personnel Safety, Medical

A. Safety Hazards:

Please refer to Appendix D and I for general and site specific safety hazards.

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B. Mitigation: Measures Taken to Reduce the Hazards:

Personnel involved with this project will be required to wear all required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

while assigned to the project. Adhering to 10 Standard Firefighting orders, 18 Watchout Situations, and LCES

during all fire operations will help to mitigate safety issues.

Personnel will only be assigned tasks for which they are qualified and properly trained or will be with a

qualified trainer.

Smoke may impact roads in the vicinity of the project area. Traffic safety personnel and/or Pilot Cars may be

utilized to mitigate the smoke impacts on local traffic. Signs will be placed on all applicable routes warning the

public of potential smoke impacts to roadways.

The Arapaho NWR staff will be notified in advance of any ignition. Potentially effected trails or visitor areas

may be closed at Burn Boss or Refuge Staff discretion.

Should evacuations be necessary, Burn Boss will coordinate with Refuge Staff to alert the public. Law

Enforcement personnel will evacuate effected public via their procedures; this may include help from refuge or

burn staff.

A Medical Plan will be included with an IAP (Incident Action Plan) and available to all prescribed fire

personnel prior to ignition. The Medical Plan will cover topics such as identifying EMT’s, location of

ambulances, life-flight availability, location of clinics/hospitals and procedures to follow in case of injury.

Job Hazard Analysis for Prescribed Fire Projects will be included in Appendix D. All personnel will be

required to sign a copy of it prior to ignition.

C. Emergency Medical Procedures:

Please refer to the Medical Plan in Appendix G.

D. Emergency Evacuation Methods:

Depending on severity of injury, air evacuation may be the preferred method of evacuation. The Burn Boss will need

to identify an appropriate Landing Zone (identify coordinates in IAP), and identify on-site medical responders during

the briefing. Please refer to the Medical Plan in Appendix G for a listing of available service providers.

E. Emergency Facilities:

Please refer to the Medical Plan in Appendix G.

Element 14: Test Fire

A. Planned Location:

A test fire will be conducted on each unit for each day of implementation. The Burn Boss will evaluate the test

fire to determine the likelihood that fire behavior, smoke management, and resource objectives can be met.

Generally the test fire will be conducted at the most secure downwind corner of the unit, as long as the location

is representative of the rest of the unit. If the test fire location does not have control lines separating it from the

rest of the unit, then holding resources will be immediately available to extinguish the test fire if the results are

not acceptable. If the results are acceptable, the test fire may be extinguished and the main ignition effort

resumed elsewhere or ignition may simply proceed from the test fire.

B. Test Fire Documentation:

The on-site weather conditions and test fire behavior will be recorded on the appropriate Fire Effects

Monitoring forms and a copy will be included in the project folder. The acceptance of the Test Fire results will

be documented on the Prescribed Fire Go/No-Go Form.

Element 15: Ignition Plan

Important Note: The following descriptions are only examples of likely ignition techniques, sequences, and

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patterns. The actual safe and efficient possibilities vary widely based on burn-day conditions such as wind direction,

fuel moisture, number and experience of available resources, number and type of ignition tools, the precise composition

of the vegetation, and other factors. The actual ignition techniques, sequences, and patterns will be selected on-site

at discretion of the Burn Boss, in consultation with the Firing Boss and Holding Specialists, and are likely to differ

from those presented here or change during the execution of the burn.

A. Firing Methods:

Normally the downwind control lines are ignited first and the fire is allowed to back into the unit to widen the

control line. Once the control lines are secure, the remainder of the unit is ignited. Often fire is backed through

areas with heavier fuel loading to minimize fire intensity and spotting; these areas may be burned after control

lines are secure and before firing the main body of the unit, or during the firing of the main body. Igniters will

generally walk through the unit along existing breaks in the vegetation, such as ditches or control lines.

Personnel may not actively light while using an ATV with a handheld ignition device. Personnel may actively

light , using a handheld ignition device, while using a UTV with a designated driver and a separate designated

lighter in the passenger position.

B. Devices:

Walking with drip torches will be the primary ignition method. Other methods that may be used are igniting

with a drip torch from a UTV, with fusees from a UTV or on foot, with a platform-mounted ignition device, by

throwing lit fusees or flare rounds by hand into the interior of the unit, or by firing flare rounds from an ignition

device such as a Veri-pistol. All appropriate ground ignition devices may be used, the preceding list is not

entirely inclusive.

C. Minimum Ignition Staffing:

As described in Element 11.A. Organization, a Firing Boss, qualified as single resource FIRB will be designated

to direct the ignition operation during the ignition of the main body of the project. The Firing Boss may have

two or more firefighters (minimum qualification FFT2) to assist with actual ignition. If the project is only being

black-lined, then the Burn Boss may directly supervise the ignition operation.

Element 16: Holding Plan

A. General Procedures for Holding:

Holding will be directed by the Holding Specialist, minimally qualified at the single resource boss level, engine

or crew, and incident commander type 5. Holding may utilize engine, handcrew, and equipment, wet lining

prior to ignition, suppression of any unwanted fire (location or behavior), patrolling control lines to maintain

and verify security and containment of fire. In certain cases holding may necessitate ignition of boundaries to

stop unwanted fire spread or behavior, this will be closely conducted with FIRB and only after consultation with

Burn Boss. When not actually lighting, ignition personnel may be used to augment holding forces. In the event

of a spot fire or slop-over, the nearest holding forces will notify the appropriate fire line supervisor immediately

and extinguish the spot or slop over as efficiently as possible. The fire line supervisor will report the event to

the Burn Boss. Specific strategies for holding will be determined by Holding Specialist and Burn Boss.

Mop-Up / Patrol Standards:

Prior to release of all resources at end of shift, all smokes within 30 feet of unit control lines will be

mopped up.

A minimum of a qualified ICT5 must patrol the fire the day following burn, patrolling at a minimum

twice daily. Thereafter, necessary patrol will be determined by Burn Boss with patrols done by

personnel at minimum of qualified FFT1. Burn Boss is responsible for making designations of

resources for patrol from ignition until burn is declared out. Resources are responsible to report to

Burn Boss immediately after patrol. Should more than 1 unit be burned in a single day, a minimum of

one qualified FFT2 will remain at the unit to monitor until unit is secure and controlled, determination

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to be made by Burn Boss. After ignition day, multiple units maybe patrolled by an individual resource.

Each unit will be checked at least once every third day during the afternoon burning period until it is

declared out. A burn may be declared out when no evidence of continued burning, such as smoke or

new white ash (residue from smoldering), is seen on three consecutive checks. The Burn Boss is

responsible for ensuring that the unit is checked and for declaring the unit out. Should the burn escape

onto private property, it will be patrolled daily by SRB or higher qualified until declared out.

B. Critical Holding Points and Actions:

Any identified critical holding points for a specific unit will be described in the unit-specific attachment

(Appendix I). Created/ improved control lines should be established to reduce possibilities of escape and

reduce number of critical holdings points. Individual units will need to be evaluated for critical holding points

particularly around improvements or adjacent land ownership areas. These points will be discussed and

evaluated with Burn Boss and respective overhead prior to ignition. Consultation between Burn Boss, Firing

Boss, Holding Specialist, and any additional overhead deemed necessary, will be conducted prior to

implementation to consider adjacent fuels and feasibility of containment of prescribed burn.

Mowed lines

Downwind perimeter of treatment unit.

Any downwind corners or bends in control line.

Wet lines or compression lines

Areas along the treatment unit perimeter with heavy fuel concentrations

Infrastructure and/or structures in or adjacent to burn unit

C. Minimum Organization or Capabilities Needed:

Please see Element 11.B and 16.A for minimal organization and capabilities needed. Ignition units are small

enough that response times to slop-overs or spots are minimized. The use of the UTV’s to provide a constant

patrol behind wet lining operations will reduce detection and response times to fire outside of the ignition unit

boundaries.

Element 17: Contingency Plan

A. Management Action Points or Limits:

If any of the following situations occur, contingency actions will take place:

1. Fire threatens the project boundary.

2. More than three simultaneous spot fires and/or slop overs occur, in more than one adjacent Refuge unit.

3. Fire outside of the Refuge unit boundary.

4. Smoke management objectives being impacted.

5. Prescription parameters are exceeded.

6. Potential for costs to control exceed available project funds.

Management Action Points for declaring a Wildfire:

If lives are threatened, private property, resources, or other structures are threatened, regardless of pre-

determined time frames for control determination.

If a slop-over or multiple slop-overs occur on private lands outside the burn unit.

If a slop over/spot fire or multiple slop overs/spot fires occur in areas outside the burn unit on U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service Lands and are not able to be contained within 3 hours after sundown with an appropriate

management response from on-site resources.

Prescription parameters have been exceeded, and holding and contingency actions cannot secure the fire

within 3 hours after sundown.

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Burn Boss decides to convert the prescribed fire to wildfire status based on their experience and intuitive

sense for a variety of reasons.

B. Actions Needed:

If the prescribed fire objectives are not being met the Contingency Plan is implemented. If the contingency

actions are successful at bringing the project back within the scope of the Prescribed Fire Plan, the project may

continue. Contingency actions may include flanking the fire with the engines or conducting a burn out from

created foam lines or from existing roads/dikes. Ignition crews may be utilized as holding resources. If

contingency actions are not successful by the end of the next burning period, then the prescribed fire may be

converted to a wildfire.

C. Minimum Contingency Resources and Maximum Response Time(s):

Contingency resources (minimum of 2 Type 6 or larger engines) must be contacted and verified to be available,

within 2 hours, at a maximum of 24 hours prior to ignition. Contingency resources must be available during

entire ignition phase. Contingency resources may be ordered, utilized, or on-site without the need for

conversion to a wildfire. With given fuel types and conditions it may often be the most logical course of actions

to have contingency resources on-scene prior to ignition.

Element 18: Wildfire Declaration

A. Wildfire Declared By:

Burn Boss

Wildfire Declaration Criteria: Wildfire must be declared if any of the following criteria are met.

Prescription parameters are exceeded, and holding and contingency actions cannot secure the fire by the

end of the next burn period.

The fire has spread outside the project area or is likely to do so, and the associated contingency actions

have failed or are likely to fail and the fire cannot be contained by the end of the next burning period.

The fire has spread off of USFWS property unless a previous agreement is in place.

The fire is or may imminently threaten life, resources, or other structures or infrastructure.

B. IC Assignment:

Generally the Burn Boss will become the initial attack incident commander in the event of an escape or wildfire.

S/he may delegate this role to another qualified on-site resource, as long as the delegation is made clear to all

participants at the pre-ignition briefing. In particular, pre-designated organization responsibilities should be

discussed and made known to all personnel in pre-ignition briefing.

C. Notifications:

If the burn has declared a wildfire, Craig Dispatch will be contacted by radio or phone, (970) 826-5037, to notify

them and to order the appropriate resources to contain the fire. The Rocky Basin Zone FMO will also be notified

as soon as possible. The Refuge Manager or Acting Manager will be notified by the Rocky Basin Zone FMO, or

Burn Boss, as soon as possible. (See Appendix H for contact numbers.)

D. Extended Attack Actions and Opportunities to Aid in Fire Suppression (Optional):

In the event a fire continues beyond the initial shift into an extended attack operation, the Project Leader, in

consultation with the Fire Management Officer and other qualified advisors, will complete a Wildland Fire

Decision Support Documentation or equivalent decision-making tool. Additional suppression resources will be

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drawn from adjacent Refuges, States, other Federal partners, and local cooperators through appropriate dispatch

center. ICT4 will remain incident commander until relieved by ICT3 or higher qualified personnel.

Element 19: Smoke Management and Air Quality

A. Compliance:

A Colorado Smoke Permit will be obtained from the state per requirements of state law. A new permit will be

needed each year. The conditions set in the permit will dictate smoke management. Permits and smoke form

may be submitted by refuge staff, fire management or Burn Boss, or designee. A copy of the Colorado Smoke

Permit must be on site during burning operations.

B. Permits to be Obtained:

Permit Address: Colleen Campbell

Department of Health & environment, APCD-TS-B1

4300 Cherry Creek South

Denver, CO 80246-1530

Fax: 303.782.5493

E-mail: [email protected]

The State of Colorado requires an application for open burning for planned ignition. A number of forms are

required. The Department of Health and Environment has up to 30 days following the application receipt to

issue the Smoke Permit. Following is a list of required forms for the project:

For SMP-A (Permit Application of Open Burning for Prescribed Fire Projects)

Form SMP-B (Smoke risk Rating Worksheet for Prescribed Fire Projects)

Form SMP-C (Evaluation of Non-burning Fuel Treatments and Smoke Mitigation Techniques

Used)

Form SMP-D (Notification of Ignition)

Form SMP-E (Daily Actual Fire Activity)

Form SMP-F (Annual Fire Activity)

Forms SMP-A, SMP-B, SMP-C, Smoke Management portion of Burn Plan, for the Smoke permit. For SMP-D

can be submitted up to 48 hours prior to ignition but must be received at least 2 hours prior to ignition. Form

SMP-E must be submitted by 1000 hours the day following ignition. SMP-F must be submitted by March1

indication all prescribed fire activity that occurred during the previous year (whether burned or not burned).

Forms and instructions are available at the following web site:

Http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/ap/smoke/Index.html

C. Smoke-Sensitive Receptors:

Please refer to Appendix I for a list of Smoke-Sensitive Receptors, and their distance and bearing from

individual ignition units. The Mount Zirkel, Platte River, and Rawah wildernesses are all Type 1 airsheds

which are located within 25 miles of ignition units addressed by this plan. No additional mitigation measures

are necessary in relation to the Type 1 airsheds.

D. Potential Impacted Areas:

Please see Appendix A for a map of Potential Smoke Impact Areas within 25 miles of the refuge boundaries.

E. Mitigation Strategies and Techniques to Reduce Smoke Impacts:

Coordination of all activities occurs through state wide submission of a permit.

Burn areas consist mainly of short duration, fine fuels indicating impacts should be minimal.

Signs on impacted roadways, and law enforcement or public safety personnel notified of potential smoke

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impacts to public roads which may pose limited visibility problems.

Identify refuge staff employee to serve as a smoke observer for local roadway impacts.

Identify with complex Project Leader or their designee the availability of pilot cars, and how to request

their use when smoke is likely to impact a public road.

Smoke dispersion and plume characteristics will be monitored by Burn Boss, or designee, to aid in decision

making to mitigate smoke hazards. (i.e. adjust firing techniques, alert law enforcement, initiated pilot cars,

road closure, etc.)

Wind speed and direction prescriptive elements are designed to reduce impacts to receptors.

Element 20: Monitoring

A. Fuels Information Required and Procedures:

Drought Indices and vegetation greenness will be monitored prior to burning through following internet

websites:

Drought Monitoring: www.drought.unl/dm/

Greenness Factors: www.wfas.net

B. Weather Monitoring (Forecasted and Observed) Required and Procedures:

Weather will be taken hourly, or more frequently as determined by Burn Boss, to check prescription adherence.

On-site weather observations will be recorded and added to fire report (DI-1202).

C. Fire Behavior Monitoring Required and Procedures:

Each time the weather is recorded, the observer should make observations about the fire behavior, including

direction of spread (backing, flanking, or heading), estimated flame length or height, and significant fire

behavior such as torching or multiple spots. Probability of Ignition may be calculated from on-site observations.

Photos should be taken during the unit ignition to document fire behavior.

D. Monitoring Required to Ensure that Prescribed Fire Plan Objectives are Met:

Additional monitoring activities may be conducted by Refuge staff in accordance with habitat management

protocols and procedures.

E. Smoke Dispersal Monitoring Required and Procedures:

Each time the weather is recorded, the observer may make general observations about the smoke column,

including the color of the smoke, the direction the column is dispersing, and any significant events such as an

inversion settling in or smoking significantly impacting a road or residence.

Element 21: Post-burn Activities

A. Post-Burn Activities that must be Completed:

The Burn Boss will organize and hold a debriefing (AAR) session as soon as practical after the firing and

holding operations are completed for ignition day.

It is not expected that any post-burn rehabilitation will be needed. If rehabilitation is needed, determination and

activities for mitigation will be made by refuge staff and fire management staff.

The Burn Boss will submit the Colorado APCD Form SMP-E by 1000 the morning following the burn

implementation.

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A final report will be completed within 30 days of the fire’s being declared out. The Burn Boss is responsible

for ensuring that it is completed. The report will include:

All of the information required for entry into the Fire Management Information System

Unit-specific attachments

A copy of the weather forecast(s) for each day of the burn

Signed Agency Administrator Ignition Authorization and Prescribed Fire Go/No-go forms

Results of the test burn

Burn-day observations of weather, fire behavior, first-order fire effects, and smoke dispersal

List of resources

Narrative and chronology of major events, including all 214 Unit Logs

Map showing the final test fire location and perimeter of the unit

An estimate of what percentage of the unit was burned

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Prescribed Fire Plan Appendices

Appendix A: Maps: Vicinity, Project or Ignition Units (or both), Optional: Significant or Sensitive Features, Fuels or

Fuel Model, Smoke Impact Areas

Appendix B: Technical Reviewer Checklist

Appendix C: Complexity Analysis

Appendix D: Agency-Specific Job Hazard Analysis or Risk Assessment

Appendix E: Fire Behavior Modeling Documentation

Appendix F: Cost Calculation

Appendix G: Medical Plan (ICS-206)

Appendix H: Contact / Notification List

Appendix I: Ignition Unit Specific Documentation

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Appendix A: Vicinity Map

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Appendix A: Project (Ignition Units) / Contingency Maps

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Appendix A: Vegetation Maps

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Appendix A: Fuels or Fuel Model: (Optional) Maps

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Appendix A: Smoke Impact Areas: (Optional) Maps

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Appendix B: Technical Reviewer Checklist

Please see attached USFWS Region 6 Technical Reviewer Checklist.

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Appendix C: Complexity Analysis

1. Potential for Escape

Risk Rationale

Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

At the upper end of prescription, the probability of ignition (PIG) is 100%, but

under conditions that are normally experienced during a spring burn the PIG is

normally in the 60-80% range. Some of the ignition units rely on mowed lines

and wet lining to contain burn so possibility exists for fire to creep through lines

and escape.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No Change

Potential Consequences Rationale

Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Due to size of refuge and nature of fuels, there is a possibility of escape unto

private lands for some of the ignition units. Ignition units near the north end of

the refuge do have a significant WUI exposure.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No Change

Technical Difficulty Rationale

Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Normal holding operations in these fuel types require at least 2 type 6 engines

and multiple UTV’s. Use of a specialty tracked vehicle (STV) in wetlands and

wet meadows adds additional complexity for Holding Specialist that is not

familiar with capabilities of the STV. Operations can be handled by

experienced single resource boss who is also ICT5 or ICT4 qualified.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No Change

2. The Number and Dependency of Activities

Risk Rationale

Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Due to size of units and nature of fuels, successful achievement of concurrent

actions is necessary.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

The organization chart requires a qualified Firing Boss so that the Burn Boss

can focus on the coordination of both holding and ignition operations


Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Due to nature of fuels and size of ignition units, any issues with coordination

between ignition teams and holding forces can lead to increased risk of escape,

and create safety issues.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High




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Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Due to nature of fuels and size of ignition units, any issues with coordination

between ignition teams and holding forces can lead to increased risk of escape,

and create safety issues. Most units are of a size and layout that Burn / Firing

Boss can see majority of unit from one location, so moderate coordination skill

level is necessary.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High



3. Off-Site Values

Risk Rationale

Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Northern Boundary of refuge is adjacent to the city of Walden, CO.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

The nature of the fuels surrounding the city of Walden are such that the risk of

structural involvement due to spotting is negligible. The wind direction

prescription was written so that the project could not be implemented if the wind

is going to directly carry smoke into Walden.


Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Surrounding private land is used for domestic grazing, so escape unto private

land followed by drought could lead to loss of productivity of the land causing

monetary losses to the owner of the land.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No Change


Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Off-site values are maintained so that no special management, equipment, or

skills are necessary for their protection.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No Change

4. On-Site Values

Risk Rationale

Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Refuge facilities are easily protected from damage due maintenance around the

facilities.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No Change


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Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Implementation problems will not adversely affect on-site resources.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No Change


Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Resources values within the unit are easily protected, requiring no more than

normal annual grounds maintenance for protection.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No Change

5. Fire Behavior

Risk Rationale

Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Fire Behavior modeling requires the use of 3 fuel models, basically transitioning

from wetland vegetation to short grass to short stature shrub. Local winds

following the river channels and bluffs along river corridor may cause notable

shifts in fire behavior, specifically battling winds and differing directions of fire

spread.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No Change


Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Fire behavior outside the unit would be less then inside the unit during a spring

burn window, but may become equivalent during fall burn windows and if a

long term drought is impacting the area.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No Change


Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Most of the spots and slopovers fire behavior can be controlled using direct

attack tactics from the heel of the fire. Standard safety precautions are adequate

to ensure personnel safety.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No change

6. Management Organization

Risk Rationale

Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Due to nature of fuels and size of ignition units, two levels of supervision are

necessary so as to coordinate operations between ignition and holding

personnel.

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Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

The Organization chart requires the use of qualified Firing Boss. Holding

operations are of a technical level that a Single Resource Boss (Engine or Crew)

who is also qualified as an Incident Commander Type 5 can coordinate holding

resources across the ignition units.


Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Supervision and communication problems are expected to be minimal.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No change


Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Arapaho NWR has limited qualified personnel available within their

organization. The refuge requires assistance from local USFS and BLM

personnel, plus off-unit USFWS to implement prescribed fire operations.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No Change

7. Public and Political Interest

Risk Rationale

Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Due to the topography of North Park, any prescribed fire operations at Arapaho

NWR is visible to the surrounding public especially the town of Walden, CO.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

The prescribed fire program at Arapaho NWR has not experienced any adverse

events in it’s history. The issuance of news releases discussing the

implementation of prescribed fire operations at the refuge satisfies most public

interest about the project implementation.


Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Adverse events will attract public, political, and media attention. News releases

are required by the State of Colorado to be incompliance with smoke permit

requirements.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No Change


Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Routine media releases needed, but no dedicated PIO is needed to assist with

implementation of prescribed fire operations.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No Change

8. Fire Treatment Objectives

Risk Rationale

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Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Objectives are easily accomplished with a range of fire behavior. Objectives

mostly focus on herbaceous plant regeneration, and the prevention of woody

fuel encroachment into the ignition unit.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No change


Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Other opportunities to meet objectives are very limited in a given year. Due to

nature of fuels, use of mowing in wetlands has no impact on thatch removal, and

may actually increase issues related to thatch impeding herbaceous vegetation

growth

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No Change


Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Measures to achieve objectives are easy to complete and there are few

restrictions on techniques.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No Change

9. Constraints

Risk Rationale

Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Some of the constraints on project implementation include the prevention of fire

damage to willow stands, and restriction on implementation operations during

nesting season.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No Change


Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

The requirement of minimizing fire damage to willow stands places limits on

ignition tactics. The delay in firing operations necessary to ensure willow stand

protection may lead to an increase of adverse event such as fire escape from

refuge lands or fire spotting across the river into areas which are not scheduled

for project implementation.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No Change


Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Constraints do not increase the difficulty of completing the project

ARRNWR FY 2014 - 2019

42

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No Change

10. Safety

Risk Rationale

Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Safety issues are easily identifiable and mitigated. Activities can be

characterized as high frequency/low risk.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No Change


Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Minimal potential for serious accidents/injuries to firefighters or the public.

Outside common transportation safety and burn injuries, most significant

potential accident involves falling into river and stream channels without

flotation device during high water flow.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

Safety briefing will draw attention to a staying a safe distance from edges of

stream and river channels, so as to avoid possibility of falling into water due to

bank collapse.


Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Safety concerns can be easily mitigated through LCES. A standard safety

briefing as part of the project briefing should be sufficient to cover safety

concerns.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No change

11. Ignition Procedures/Methods

Risk Rationale

Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Due size of units and nature of fuels, firing sequence and timing are somewhat

critical to meet project objectives. Most of the project area is readily visible to

Burn and Firing Bosses.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No Change


Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Firing methods must be coordinated to provide for adequate safety and reduce

risk of an adverse event. Opportunities for remedial actions or corrections are

available in the event of problems.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No Change


ARRNWR FY 2014 - 2019

43

Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Firing procedures are somewhat complex in at least some portions of the project

are and require the ignition team to be broken into two or more teams. The use

of two different types of ignition devices is planned. The ignition pattern

requires direct control of the lighters to manage safety concerns.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No Change

12. Interagency Coordination

Risk Rationale

Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

The project does not involve the lands of another land management agency or

jurisdiction. Restrictions related to National or regional preparedness levels are

not expected.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No Change


Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Due to limited USFWS fire staffing in the zone, interagency coordination issues

may delay project implementation.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No Change


Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Project requires use of one special agreement. Implementation may require

special attention to certain interagency details such as communications.

Interagency resources are generally available but some restrictions on their use

may be present.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No Change

13. Project Logistics

Risk Rationale

Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

The project requires minimal logistical support with no specific logistic function

assigned. Supplies needed to conduct the burn are readily available. No special

equipment or communication equipment needs have been identified. Project

duration is two days or less.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No Change


Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Problems related to logistics will not increase the risk of escape, affect the

completion of the project, or create a safety concern.

ARRNWR FY 2014 - 2019

44

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No Change


Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

No special logistical support issues. Supervisors normally handle their own

support needs. Supplies and personnel are readily available and easy to obtain.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No Change

14. Smoke Management

Risk Rationale

Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Heavy smoke production from wetland fuels can lead to smoke exposure which

will likely cause some health and safety concerns that will require special

mitigation. Smoke may be visible to the public for several days in areas where

public roads are near to the ignition units.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

No Change


Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

A few health related complaints may occur. Minor smoke intrusions may occur

into smoke sensitive areas, but below levels that trigger regulatory concern.

Project personnel may be exposed to dense smoke for short periods of time.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

Smoke permit from CO APCD requires a minimum of a Fair Smoke Dispersion

Adjective Rating, so intrusions into smoke sensitive areas are further

minimized.


Preliminary Rating:

Low Moderate High

Some considerations are needed in the prescription portion of the plan. Burn

window/opportunities are reduced by the required weather/dispersion

conditions. Normal conditions with air quality officials is required. Some

mitigation measures may be needed to address potential concerns with smoke

impacts. Rotating project personnel out of dense smoke is necessary but easy to

accomplish.

Final Rating:

Low Moderate High

Smoke permit from CO APCD is issued using standard conditions, and a wind

limit of no winds from SW – S – SE when forecasted Smoke Dispersion

Adjective Rating is only for fair.

ARRNWR FY 2014 - 2019

45

COMPLEXITY RATING SUMMARY

RISK OVERALL RATING MODERATE

POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OVERALL RATING MODERATE

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY OVERALL RATING MODERATE

SUMMARY COMPLEXITY RATING MODERATE

RATIONALE:

This plan was rated a Moderate complexity plan due to a number of elements. Off-site Values and Public

& Political Interest both had preliminary ratings of one factor rate at a high complexity. This was due to

the refuge being located on the Walden, CO city limits, and the broad nature of the valley that the city

and refuge are located in. These were mitigated due to public being familiar with fire management

activities in the valley, the nature of the fuels around the homes in the city, and the short time frame that

smoke should be visible from the city.

The other elements which rated the plan a moderate complexity were due to fire behavior, organizational

size, constraints, and smoke management. The fuels at this refuge are best described as light and flashy

with high rates of spread. This necessitates a great deal of coordination during ignition operations due to

the impact that a sudden wind shift can have across the entire project area. These fuels also increase the

likelihood that any slop-over can become established quickly and burn onto private lands. This

necessitated an increase in holding resources to two Type 6 engines and two UTVs. The UTVs do not

add much to line building capacity, but they are highly mobile so they can actively patrol long sections of

fire line thus increasing the likelihood that they will catch a slop-over before it becomes better

established.

The constraints and smoke management issues are minimal, but still rated out at the moderate level. The

constraint that the refuge is most concerned about is the lost of willow habitat due to fire damage. The

refuge staff is studying the current information on fire effects to willows, so these constraints may

become minimized on some of the ignition units when the staff completes the review of the information.

The smoke management issues are rated moderate due to the state of Colorado’s smoke management

program requirements. These requirements do not cause an undue burden on the implementation of this

project, but can cause other issues if information is not reported back to the state in a timely manner.

Prepared By: Date:

Approved By: Date:

(Agency Administrator)

ARRNWR FY 2014 - 2019

46

Appendix D: Agency-Specific Job Hazard Analysis or Risk Assessment

United States Department of

Interior

US Fish & Wildlife Service

1. WORK PROJECT/ACTIVITY

Prescribed Fire

2. LOCATION

CO-ARR Broadcast Burn Units

3. UNIT

Arapaho NWR

JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS (JHA)

4. NAME OF ANALYST

John Ashcraft

5. JOB TITLE

Rocky Basin FMZ AFMO

6. DATE PREPARED

04/03/2014

7. TASKS/PROCEDURES

8. HAZARDS

9. ABATEMENT ACTIONS

ENGINEERING CONTROLS – SUBSTITUTION – ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS – PPE

*Travel to, from and on

Project.

Motor vehicle accidents, Slippery road

surfaces, soft shoulders, unimproved

and narrow roadways. Weather

darkness, smoke.

Driving Defensively. Use seat belts. Identify road conditions during briefings.

Post Road Guards. Mark hazards. Use Headlights. Perform pre-use inspections

on equipment. Scout roads and identify turnouts before ignition of project.

Maintain communications. Provide road system map for project. Use Backers

and chock vehicle tires. Have vehicles facing out.

*Qualifications For

assigned Position

Lack of Experience, Injuries Workers recruited for burn assignments shall meet age,health, and physical

requirements established for regular firefighting duties. Also meet Prescribed

Burn qualifications. (310-1, FWS Handbook)

*Briefing Lack of communications Provide project briefing before burning will clarify firing order, organization

responsibilities, communications, hazards, weather, and expected fire behavior.

*Protective Clothing and

equipment

Injuries, burns, and death Wear Hard hat with chin strap, safety glasses, Nomex Fire resistant pants and

shirts NFPA 1977 compliant. Keep sleeves rolled down. Wear leather, lace type,

boots with skid resistant soles, and tops at least 8 inches high. Carry drinking

water and fire shelter. Wear OSHA approved firefighting gloves. Wear hearing

ARRNWR FY 2014 - 2019

47

protection when working around equipment where noise level exceeds 90 dba.

Wear additional protective equipment as dictated by local conditions and

exposure to special equipment.

*Lighters Injuries, death, falls,snags,bees,

snakes, smoke, burns, rolling material.

Always have an escape route . Maintain LCES. Follow the Standard Fire Orders

and Watch Out Situations. Maintain communications with other Lighters and

Firing Boss. Hand held radios shall be provided to all lighters. Do not fill drip

torches near ignition sources. Do not spill burn mix on clothing.

*Fuel Mixing Burns, spills, fuel saturated clothing

and boots.

No smoking within 25 feet of mixing and filling area. Do not fill or mix in pick

up beds with bed liners. Avoid the use of cellular telephones in and around fill or

mixing area. Avoid fuel contact with bare hands, clothing and boots. Provide

pour spouts. Use only approved fuel containers. Follow fuel mixture ratio in the

Health and safety Code Handbook.

*Holding/Mop Up/Patrol

Crews

Smoke,burns,Falls, back injuries, bees,

posion oak,snags, rolling material, eye

injuries, Heat Stress, Dehydration, CO

Poisoning

Wear PPE's listed above. LCES, Follow Standard Fire Orders and Watch out

Situations. Receive briefing from Holding Boss. Identify hazards in work area.

Flag hazards for others. Use warning lights and provide traffic control on

roadways during smoky and nights operations. Drink lots of fluids

before,during and after work. Periodically rotate crews from work sites with

high smoke levels to areas of less smoke or smoke free areas. Protective

clothing and equipment shall be the same as required for firefighting. Maintain

communications with supervisors.

*Emergency Evacuation

Procedures (EEP)

Serious illness and injuries Notify Burn Boss, request medical response from the responsible medical first

responders. Provide type of injury,location,access, number of patients. Identify

EMT's and available medical equipment on project during briefing. Follow

medical in burn plan.

10. SUPERVISOR’S SIGNATURE 11. TITLE 12. DATE

ARRNWR FY 2014 - 2019

48

Appendix E: Fire Behavior Modeling Documentation

BehavePlus 5.0.5 (Build 307)

Prescription High End Scenario

Tue, Mar 04, 2014 at 15:20:42

Input Worksheet

Inputs: SURFACE, IGNITE

Input Variables Units Input Value(s)

Administrative Unit Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge

Prescribed Fire Name Refuge Wide Broadcast Burn Plan

Prepared By John Ashcraft

Fuel/Vegetation, Surface/Understory

Fuel Model GR8, GR2, GS2, 8

Fuel Moisture

1-h Moisture % 2

10-h Moisture % 4

100-h Moisture % 6

Live Herbaceous Moisture % 30

Live Woody Moisture % 80

Weather

Midflame Wind Speed (upslope) mi/h 15

Air Temperature oF 89

Fuel Shading from the Sun % 0

Terrain

Slope Steepness % 3

Fire

Spread Direction (from upslope) deg 0, 90, 180

Notes

This run is to show the Flame Length, Rate of Spread, and Probability of Ignition during the high end

of this plan's prescription.

Run Option Notes

Maximum reliable effective wind speed limit IS imposed [SURFACE].

Calculations are for the specified spread directions [SURFACE].

Fireline intensity, flame length, and spread distance are always for the direction of the spread calculations

[SURFACE].

Wind and spread directions are degrees clockwise from upslope [SURFACE].

ARRNWR FY 2014 - 2019

49

Wind is blowing upslope [SURFACE].

Results for: Surface Rate of Spread (ch/h)

Fuel Spread Direction (from upslope)

Model deg

0 90 180

gr8 842.2 18.9 9.5

gr2 335.2 8.3 4.2

gs2 163.8 3.7 1.9

8 10.3 0.3 0.2

Results for: Flame Length (ft)


Model deg

0 90 180

gr8 65.7 11.5 8.4

gr2 14.1 2.6 1.9

gs2 13.9 2.4 1.8

8 2.6 0.5 0.4

Results for: Probability of Ignition from a Firebrand (%)


Model deg

0 90 180

gr8 100 100 100

gr2 100 100 100

gs2 100 100 100

8 100 100 100

End


Prescription Low End Scenario

Tue, Mar 04, 2014 at 15:23:46

Input Worksheet

Inputs: SURFACE, IGNITE




ARRNWR FY 2014 - 2019

50



Fuel Model GR8, GR2, GS2, 8

Fuel Moisture

1-h Moisture % 12

10-h Moisture % 14

100-h Moisture % 16

Live Herbaceous Moisture % 300

Live Woody Moisture % 200

Weather


Air Temperature oF 50

Fuel Shading from the Sun % 75

Terrain

Slope Steepness % 3

Fire

Spread Direction (from upslope) deg 0, 90, 180

Notes

This run is to show the Flame Length, Rate of Spread, and Probability of Ignition during the

high end of this plan's prescription.

Run Option Notes



Fireline intensity, flame length, and spread distance are always for the direction of the spread

calculations [SURFACE].





Model deg

0 90 180

gr8 0.0 0.0 0.0

ARRNWR FY 2014 - 2019

51

gr2 0.0 0.0 0.0

gs2 0.1 0.1 0.0

8 0.2 0.1 0.1



Model deg

0 90 180

gr8 0.2 0.2 0.2

gr2 0.0 0.0 0.0

gs2 0.2 0.1 0.1

8 0.3 0.3 0.3

Results for: Probability of Ignition from a Firebrand (%)


Model deg

0 90 180

gr8 18 18 18

gr2 18 18 18

gs2 18 18 18

8 18 18 18

End


Emergent Wetlands Dead Vs Live Fuels Comparisson - High Wind

Tue, Mar 04, 2014 at 15:41:21

Input Worksheet

Inputs: SURFACE






Fuel Model GR8

Fuel Moisture

Dead Fuel Moisture % 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12

ARRNWR FY 2014 - 2019

52

Live Fuel Moisture % 30,60,90,200,300

Weather


Terrain

Slope Steepness % 3

Fire

Spread Direction (from upslope) deg 0

Notes

This run is to show a comparison of the Flame Length, and Rate of Spread for head fire in

the Emergent Wetlands under upper wind speed conditions across a variety of live and dead

fuel moistures.

Run Option Notes








Dead Fuel Live Fuel Moisture

Moisture %

% 30 60 90 200 300

2 843.7 485.5 205.6 3.6 2.5

4 677.1 425.5 189.8 2.6 1.8

6 562.0 381.1 178.1 2.1 1.4

8 483.4 348.6 169.3 1.7 1.2

10 429.7 324.8 161.7 1.5 1.1

12 392.2 306.6 152.4 1.4 1.0



Moisture %

% 30 60 90 200 300

2 65.9 51.0 30.7 1.6 1.4

ARRNWR FY 2014 - 2019

53

4 55.8 45.8 28.7 1.3 1.1

6 48.6 42.0 27.2 1.1 0.9

8 43.6 39.2 26.1 1.0 0.8

10 40.3 37.3 25.1 0.9 0.8

12 38.1 35.8 23.9 0.9 0.7

End


Emergent Wetlands Dead Vs Live Fuels Comparisson - Low Wind

Tue, Mar 04, 2014 at 15:42:34

Input Worksheet

Inputs: SURFACE






Fuel Model GR8

Fuel Moisture



Weather


Terrain

Slope Steepness % 3

Fire


Notes


the Emergent Wetlands under lower wind speed conditions across a variety of live and dead

fuel moistures.

Run Option Notes




ARRNWR FY 2014 - 2019

54






Moisture %

% 30 60 90 200 300

2 11.0 6.3 2.7 0.1 0.1

4 8.8 5.5 2.5 0.1 0.1

6 7.3 4.9 2.3 0.1 0.1

8 6.3 4.5 2.2 0.1 0.0

10 5.6 4.2 2.1 0.1 0.0

12 5.1 4.0 2.0 0.1 0.0



Moisture %

% 30 60 90 200 300

2 8.9 6.9 4.2 0.3 0.3

4 7.6 6.2 3.9 0.3 0.2

6 6.6 5.7 3.7 0.2 0.2

8 5.9 5.3 3.5 0.2 0.2

10 5.5 5.1 3.4 0.2 0.2

12 5.2 4.9 3.2 0.2 0.2

End


Grasslands Dead Vs Live Fuels Comparisson - High Wind

Tue, Mar 04, 2014 at 15:44:41

Input Worksheet

Inputs: SURFACE





ARRNWR FY 2014 - 2019

55


Fuel Model GR2

Fuel Moisture



Weather


Terrain

Slope Steepness % 3

Fire


Notes


the Grasslands under higher wind speed conditions across a variety of live and dead fuel

moistures.

Run Option Notes









Moisture %

% 30 60 90 200 300

2 335.2 210.5 69.2 0.1 0.1

4 192.1 144.3 52.6 0.1 0.1

6 145.0 117.2 35.9 0.1 0.1

8 125.0 101.3 5.1 0.1 0.1

10 98.7 80.3 4.2 0.1 0.0

12 52.5 48.6 2.4 0.0 0.0


ARRNWR FY 2014 - 2019

56


Moisture %

% 30 60 90 200 300

2 14.1 11.5 6.3 0.1 0.1

4 10.0 9.1 5.3 0.1 0.1

6 8.4 8.0 4.1 0.1 0.1

8 7.8 7.3 1.2 0.1 0.1

10 6.7 6.3 1.0 0.1 0.1

12 4.5 4.6 0.7 0.1 0.0

End


Grasslands Dead Vs Live Fuels Comparisson - Low Wind

Tue, Mar 04, 2014 at 15:43:32

Input Worksheet

Inputs: SURFACE






Fuel Model GR2

Fuel Moisture



Weather


Terrain

Slope Steepness % 3

Fire


Notes


the Grasslands under lower wind speed conditions across a variety of live and dead fuel

ARRNWR FY 2014 - 2019

57

moistures.

Run Option Notes









Moisture %

% 30 60 90 200 300

2 3.2 1.9 0.8 0.0 0.0

4 2.4 1.6 0.7 0.0 0.0

6 2.1 1.4 0.6 0.0 0.0

8 1.9 1.3 0.3 0.0 0.0

10 1.6 1.2 0.3 0.0 0.0

12 1.2 1.0 0.2 0.0 0.0



Moisture %

% 30 60 90 200 300

2 1.7 1.3 0.8 0.1 0.1

4 1.3 1.1 0.7 0.1 0.0

6 1.2 1.1 0.6 0.1 0.0

8 1.1 1.0 0.3 0.1 0.0

10 1.0 0.9 0.3 0.0 0.0

12 0.8 0.8 0.2 0.0 0.0

End


Shrub/Scrub Dead Vs Live Fuels Comparisson - High Wind

Tue, Mar 04, 2014 at 15:46:55

Input Worksheet

Inputs: SURFACE

ARRNWR FY 2014 - 2019

58






Fuel Model GS2

Fuel Moisture



Weather


Terrain

Slope Steepness % 3

Fire


Notes


the Shrub/Scrub lands under higher wind speed conditions across a variety of live and dead

fuel moistures.

Run Option Notes









Moisture %

% 30 60 90 200 300

2 299.9 171.5 107.4 5.2 3.7

4 260.8 150.5 95.1 3.3 2.3

6 237.6 139.0 73.1 2.6 1.8

ARRNWR FY 2014 - 2019

59

8 218.8 132.1 11.0 2.4 1.7

10 194.2 114.5 9.2 2.0 1.4

12 158.4 13.1 5.2 1.2 0.8



Moisture %

% 30 60 90 200 300

2 19.4 14.0 10.8 1.5 1.3

4 17.3 12.5 9.7 1.1 1.0

6 16.1 11.7 7.6 1.0 0.8

8 15.1 11.3 2.2 0.9 0.8

10 13.7 10.0 1.9 0.8 0.7

12 11.5 2.3 1.3 0.6 0.5

End


Shrub/Scrub Dead Vs Live Fuels Comparisson - Low Wind

Tue, Mar 04, 2014 at 15:46:07

Input Worksheet

Inputs: SURFACE






Fuel Model GS2

Fuel Moisture



Weather


Terrain

Slope Steepness % 3

Fire

ARRNWR FY 2014 - 2019

60


Notes


the Shrub/Scrub lands under lower wind speed conditions across a variety of live and dead

fuel moistures.

Run Option Notes









Moisture %

% 30 60 90 200 300

2 3.1 1.7 1.1 0.2 0.1

4 2.7 1.5 1.0 0.1 0.1

6 2.4 1.4 0.7 0.1 0.1

8 2.2 1.3 0.3 0.1 0.1

10 2.0 1.2 0.3 0.1 0.1

12 1.6 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.1



Moisture %

% 30 60 90 200 300

2 2.4 1.7 1.3 0.3 0.3

4 2.1 1.5 1.2 0.3 0.2

6 2.0 1.4 0.9 0.2 0.2

8 1.8 1.4 0.4 0.2 0.2

10 1.7 1.2 0.4 0.2 0.2

12 1.4 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.1

End

ARRNWR FY 2014 - 2019

61

Appendix F: Cost Calculation

The following cost calculation is based on worst case scenario of resources traveling to Arapaho from other units

within the Rocky Basin and Montana Fire Management Zones, and attempting project implementation over a

weekend.

Unit Prep Employment Status #individuals Cost Hours Days Sub_TOTAL TOTAL

GS-7/5 1 31.92$ 8 1 255.36$ 255.36$

Implementation Employment Status #individuals Cost Hours Days Sub_TOTAL TOTAL

GS-7/5 14 31.92$ 12 2 10,725.12$ 10,725.12$

Travel Employment Status Individual Days M&IE Lodging Sub_TOTAL TOTAL

GS 48 46.00$ 83.00$ 6,192.00$ 6,192.00$

Equipment Cost Type # of Vehicles Mileage MPG Fuel per Unit Sub_TOTAL TOTAL

Engine 2 1150 10 4.00$ 920.00$

Misc 2 1150 18 3.75$ 479.17$ 1,399.17$

ARRNWR FY 2014 - 2019

62

Appendix G: Medical Plan (ICS-206)

1. Incident Name:

Prescribed Fire Operations – Arapaho NWR

2. Operational

Period:

Date From: 1/1/2014 Date To: 12/31/2014

Time From: HHMM Time To: HHMM

3. Medical Aid Stations:

Name Location

Contact

Number(s)/Frequency

Paramedics

on Site?

TBD ☐ Yes ☐ No

4. Transportation (indicate air or ground):

Ambulance Service Location

Contact

Number(s)/Frequency Level of Service

North Park EMS Walden, CO 911/970-723-8427 ☒ ALS ☐ BLS

St Anthony’s Denver, CO 911 / 800-332-3123 ☒ ALS ☐ BLS

Flight for Life Frisco, CO 911 / 800-332-3123 ☒ ALS ☐ BLS

Wyoming Medical Center Casper, WY 911 / 800-822-7201 ☒ ALS ☐ BLS

5. Hospitals:

Hospital Name

Address,

Latitude & Longitude

if Helipad

Contact

Number(s)/

Frequency

Travel Time

Trauma

Center

Burn

Center Helipad Air Ground

Kremmling

Memorial

214 S 4th

; Kremmling 970-724-3442 20 75 ☐ Yes

Level: ____

☐ Yes

☒ No

☒ Yes

☐ No

Yampa Valley

Medical

1024 Central Park Dr.;

Steamboat Springs

970-879-1322 15 75 ☐Yes

Level: ____

☐ Yes

☒ No

☒ Yes

☐ No

Ivenson Hospital 255 N 30

th St., Laramie,

WY

307-742-2141 25 75 ☐ Yes

Level: ____

☐ Yes

☒ No

☒ Yes

☐ No

Western States

Burn Center

1801 16th

St, Greeley, CO 970-350-6305 35 180 ☒ Yes

Level: II

☒ Yes

☐ No

☒ Yes

☐ No

☐ Yes

Level:

☐ Yes

☐ No

☐ Yes

☐ No

6. Special Medical Emergency Procedures:

Notify Craig Dispatch immediately concerning any medical emergency. Dispatch will clear the frequency until the emergency is

resolved. Stay calm and provide information to dispatch concerning the nature of the injury(s) and patient(s) information.

o Number of patient(s); Location of patient(s); Type or extent of injury(s); Vitals; Time of injury(s); Age and Gender of patient; Type of

medical personnel on scene

Recommend type of medical response (Life Flight, Ground Ambulance, etc). DO NOT USE PATIENTS NAME

☐ Check box if aviation assets are utilized for rescue. If assets are used, coordinate with Air Operations.

7. Prepared by (Medical Unit Leader): Name: Signature:

8. Approved by (Safety Officer): Name: Signature:

ICS 206 IAP Page Date/Time: Date

ARRNWR FY 2014 - 2019

63

Appendix H: Contact / Notification List

Table 1: Contact List

NAME/TITLE

CITY/STATE

OFFICE

PAGER/

CELLULAR

HOME

Ann Timberman

Project Leader

Walden, CO 970-723-8202

x 3

970-819-0541 970-723-4780

Elizabeth Berkley

Biologist

Walden, CO 970-723-8202

x 6

608-215-6896

VACANT

Deputy Project Leader

Walden, CO 970-723-8202

x 4

Tracy Swenson

FMO

Brigham City, UT 435-734-6449

435-740-0572

John Ashcraft

AFMO

Green River, WY 307-875-2187

ext. 18

304-224-5812

Craig Interagency Dispatch

Center

Craig, CO 970-826-5037

Walden Fire Station Walden, CO 970-723-4747 970-873-7003

Jackson County Sheriff’s

Office

Walden, CO 970-723-8427

Sarah Gallup; Prescribed

Fire Field Liaison, CO

APCD

Fort Collins, CO 303-916-1260

ARRNWR FY 2014 - 2019

64

Table 2: Notification List

Who When1

Phone Number

and/or e-mail Responsibility Date Contact Type

2

Craig Interagency Dispatch

Center B,D,A 970-826-5037 Burn Boss

Jackson County Sheriff’s

Office B,D,A

970-723-8427 Refuge Staff

CO Air Pollution Control Div. B,A cdphe_fireactivit

[email protected] Burn Boss

NWCO Fire Management Unit

PIO

1 week

prior 970-826-5096 Refuge Staff

1 When to

Notify

Before (B): The day prior to burn

day.

Day of (D): Prior to ignition on burn

day.

After (A): After burn is completed.

2 Contact

Type

Phone Contact (PC)

Phone Message (PM)

Direct Contact (DC)

E-mail (EM)

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

ARRNWR FY 2014 - 2019

65

Appendix I: Ignition Unit Specific Documentation

Ignition Unit Hampton Acreage 149

Latitude 40.69008° (40° 41’ 24.28”)N Longitude 106.2774° (106° 16’ 38.63”)W

Elevation Top 8,164ft Bottom 8,118ft Aspect Ridgetop – All Aspect

7.5’ Quad Name Walden Drainage Illinois River

Percentage of Fuels GR2 - HERB 89.29% GS2 5.35% GR2 - WW 3.09% NB8 2.27%



No additional objectives


A. Safety Hazards:

Hampton Ranch Site (Cisterns, wells)

Impoundments

Irrigation Ditches along South and East boundaries



Hampton Ranch Site – Ensure that buildings and other culturally relevant sites have been prepared before

project implementation. Use wet lines and water applied to structures to prevent fire damage to exposed

wooden structures / fence posts.

Mowed Lines – Ensure that lines are mowed to width standard in Element 9. Use of low concentration

foam solution during wet line operation is very effective especially if applied in front of vehicle wheel so

has to improve absorption of foam solution into fuels.



Receptor Distance Direction

Jackson County School Complex 2.9 miles North

Walden, CO 2.9 miles North

Walden/Jackson County Airport 4.2 miles North

Maps:

ARRNWR FY 2014 - 2019

66

ARRNWR FY 2014 - 2019

67

ARRNWR FY 2014 - 2019

68

ARRNWR FY 2014 - 2019

69

Ignition Unit Home - Northwest Acreage 61


Elevation Top 8,082ft Bottom 8,055ft Aspect River Bottom - Flat


Percentage of Fuels GR2 - WW 39.16% GR2 - HERB 28.66% GR8 22.71% GS2 9.47%





A. Safety Hazards:

Illinois River

Unstable river banks

Railroad Grade Bridge






Rail Road Grade – Bridge needs to be evaluated for safe crossing of UTV’s to hold fire along the rail road

grade.

North Fence Line – Keep fire south of fence line







Maps:

ARRNWR FY 2014 - 2019

70

ARRNWR FY 2014 - 2019

71

ARRNWR FY 2014 - 2019

72

Ignition Unit Home - Southeast Acreage 61


Elevation Top 8,082ft Bottom 8,055ft Aspect River Bottom - Flat


Percentage of Fuels GR2 - HERB 89.18% GR8 6.23% GR2 - WW 2.94% GS2 1.65%





A. Safety Hazards:

Illinois River

Unstable river banks



Hampton Ranch Site – Ensure that buildings and other culturally relevant sites have been prepared before

project implementation. Use wet lines and water applied to structures to prevent fire damage to exposed

wooden structures / fence posts.










Maps:

Please refer to Home – Northwest Ignition Unit for maps associated with this ignition unit.

Documents

Prescribed Fire Plan template - National Interagency Fire ......the prescribed fire plan and will acknowledge any remaining unmitigated risk in the final rating. ... represented, and